Celebrating 10 Years of Scarborough UTC

For ten years Scarborough UTC has been helping young people turn their ambition into achievement, and this September they celebrate their tenth birthday.

Formed as part of the local demand for skilled employees, Scarborough UTC seamlessly incorporates employer expertise into curriculum studies to provide the skills and knowledge to carry students forward into the world of work. Studying the specialisms of Engineering, Health and Cyber Security, students work on industry standard equipment, taught by passionate subject specialists, leading to amazing destinations such as the MOD, the Dyson Institute and GCHQ. 

Alumni Caitlin, who is currently studying her Masters degree in Motorsport Engineering, spoke to us and said of the UTC,

‘The college prepared me by giving me the hands-on experience and the knowledge of engineering to take into my degree and already have the upper hand on the other students that were there.

I would say to anyone that wanted to come here to do it, to go for it, because it’s the best choice I ever made. I would not have got the grades that I got if I didn’t come here, because the passion from the teachers really comes through, and you can really feel that they want you to do well in everything that you do.’

But it’s not just specialist curriculum that makes the UTC special. Students are also able to take advantage of 2 hours of enrichment activities every Friday afternoon, which utilise and develop further the skills they learn in lessons. Enrichment activities include STEM Racing, CCF (Combined Cadet Force, Royal Navy Arm), Green Power Racing, Science Club, Duke of Edinburgh and Coding Club. 

Current student Samuel, said of the college,

‘I looked at the UTC and thought this was an amazing opportunity for me. I decided to follow down the engineering route because it was something different and I got lots of opportunities out of it.

I’m also in a group called CCF, Combined Cadet Force, and that’s on Fridays in enrichment time, two hours on a Friday afternoon. We do parades and we get inspected on our uniform and our discipline, and recently we’ve started going up to Wykeham lakes and doing sailing. A lot of people that come here to college would definitely benefit from it.’

Employers are also an essential part of the UTC, and their support allows students to implement the skills they learn in college, but also develop them further under the guidance of industry mentors. Students leave the UTC with a real understanding of the world of work, and the expectations of future employers.

Assistant Principal Natalie Griffiths said,

‘The employers at Scarborough UTC are an integral part of what we do and everyday life.

A lot of what we teach is very theory based, and if we didn’t have the employers and their contributions to make it real world it wouldn’t give the students a true understanding of what types of skills are required in the real world.

The employers and institutions that work with our students recognise the work we put into developing their employability skills, they frequently comment about how professionally our students conduct themselves, how they can talk confidently about their futures and what they plan to do in the future, and again it’s through the work they do with employers across the curriculum that makes a difference to that.

It’s a real privilege to work in a University Technical College that has the facilities, has the support of employers, and that can help to guide students into that world confidently and with the skills and abilities in which they can be successful.’

Staff are excited for the ten-year anniversary, as it’s a real opportunity to showcase the wonderful achievements from the past ten years, but also invite prospective students in to look around and enrol, becoming part of the UTC’s story, and the next ten years. 

Principal Richard Davis said,

‘Our tenth birthday celebrations are a real testament to the strength of the education and opportunities here at the UTC.

We’re proud to be able to offer some of the most unique experiences to our young people, including competitions like STEM Racing which takes students to the global stage, CCF where they can hone their leadership and teamwork skills, expert industry mentors from our employer partners, and of course, top quality education and curriculum delivery from subject specialists.

Our facilities are really impressive and students get to learn on equipment that is the real deal, setting them up perfectly for their next steps, whether that’s further or higher education, apprenticeships or employment.’

The college are holding an open event on Wednesday 23rd September, 5pm-7pm for prospective students and their families to look round. There is no need to book this event, you can go along any time.

Richard Davis added:

‘Open events are a great way for people to come and look round at their own pace, and explore the areas they are interested in.

They have a chance to try some activities and staff are on hand to support and answer questions. We also have student ambassadors who support these events, and what better way to find out what our college is like than speaking to those who experience it every day?’

If you can’t make this open event, the college also holds open afternoons every Monday where you can book onto a tour round. Simply call 01723 628609 or email info@scarboroughutc.org.uk to book a place.

Scarborough UTC-Celebrating ten years of success, apply now and be part of what comes next.

https://scarboroughutc.org.uk/